The Federal Bureau of Investigation disclosed Wednesday that it is aggressively investigating a criminal hacking group’s claim that it stole “very sensitive data” belonging to thousands of FBI agents and job applicants. The agency said it is working closely with third‑party providers that support the FBIJobs.gov portal to mitigate any risk.
Hacking group’s allegations
The message, circulated online by the group known as ShinyHunters, asserted that it had compromised the FBIJobs.gov site and held sensitive data on “almost ALL FBI Agents and individuals who filed an application with the FBI for a job.” The claim was directed at FBI Director Kash Patel and Brett Leatherman, the assistant director in charge of the bureau’s cyber division.
ShinyHunters demanded that the FBI remove a public advisory issued in May that described the group as a “cyber criminal group specializing in large‑scale data breaches and extortion.” The hackers said the advisory was “offensive” and warned the bureau had one week to correct or remove what they called false allegations.
FBI response
In a statement, the FBI confirmed awareness of the alleged compromise and said the point of breach was still undetermined. “We are actively and aggressively investigating this matter and working closely with those third‑party providers that support FBIJobs.gov to mitigate any and all risk,” the bureau said.
The FBI emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and that the jobs portal remained offline as of Wednesday afternoon while security teams assess the situation.
Context of recent cyber threats
The bureau noted that it has long been a target of cyber attacks. In March, the FBI disclosed an investigation into “suspicious activities” on an internal system containing sensitive surveillance information. That same month, a pro‑Iranian hacking group claimed to have accessed personal documents belonging to Director Patel, posting years‑old photographs and a resume online. The FBI described that information as “historical in nature” and said it involved “no government information.”
These incidents underscore the persistent threat posed by foreign‑aligned and financially motivated cyber actors seeking to exploit federal systems. The FBI’s swift response to the ShinyHunters claim reflects its commitment to safeguarding the personal data of federal employees and job seekers.
What this means for job applicants
Prospective applicants to the FBI are encouraged to monitor the official FBIJobs.gov website for updates and to follow any guidance issued by the bureau. The FBI assures the public that it is taking all necessary steps to protect personal information and to restore the portal’s functionality as quickly as possible.
While the hacking group’s claims have not been independently verified, the FBI’s proactive investigation demonstrates the agency’s dedication to defending the nation’s most sensitive data against malicious actors.
Original reporting: KTSA News/Talk (San Antonio) — read the source article.
